Head Chef

EQ Care Group; Blackburn; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

½ day off for your birthday

Blue Light Discount Card

28 days annual leave (pro rata)

Salary advance scheme

Contributory pension

Dedicated Learning & Development

Team member rewards

Free meals on shift

Free tax review service

Refer a friend scheme

Job summary

EQ Care Group is seeking a Head Chef for Acer Lodge in Blackburn. You will lead the catering team, oversee menus, ensure clean and safe kitchen operations, and coordinate with residents for dining experiences.

The role focuses on meeting nutritional needs of older residents while maintaining high standards and managing costs. The position offers leadership responsibilities, opportunity to develop menus, and a supportive team environment with emphasis on quality of care and compliance with health

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in food preparation and cooking or equivalent.
• Willingness to complete required qualification if not already held.
• Experience in a similar environment is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee training, supervision, appraisal and performance of catering team.
• Manage staff rota and maintain appropriate staffing levels for each shift.
• Attend meetings and training on-site and off-site as required.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies.
• Maintain Health & Safety standards including hygiene, COSHH and cross-infection guidelines.
• Assist Home Manager with day-to-day kitchen operations.

Skills

Strong verbal and written comms

Team collaboration

IT proficiency

Independent and self-motivated

7-day rota availability

Education

NVQ Level 3 in food prep & cooking

Willingness to complete qualification

Job description

Role Overview

You’re a fab chef, love to learn and want to progress, you have ideas for menus and understand that food is the window to the soul! You have learned alongside another chef, how to manage kitchens, including EHO requirements. However, you’re tired of long days, split shifts, working through into the night and don’t get time at home with the family or to go out with friends.

What if there was a chef role that meant you could utilise all the learning you have had before AND you could forget long hours into the night, you didn’t need to do split shifts and you had the opportunity to bring flair to menus whilst also learning about the nutritional needs of our older population? Would that be something you would love to do? Read on…….

This is an exciting opportunity to work with a forward-thinking and growing organisation. As the Head Chef at Acer Lodge, you will be placed at the heart of the home along with the people that live here. You will have the overall responsibility for the catering services within Acer Lodge and you will lead by example. You will be responsible for the team rota, food ordering, stock control including waste, ensuring that all allergies are recorded and shared with your team. You will liaise with the people that live in the home and attend resident dining experiences. The kitchen and food preparation areas need to be kept clean and tidy. You will also have a comprehensive understanding of Health and Safety issues, particularly in respect of Basic Food Hygiene, COSHH, safe moving and handling and working within the guidelines relating to cross infection.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Oversee the training, supervision, appraisal, and performance management of the catering team.
• Ensure the staff rota is completed in a timely manner, maintaining appropriate staffing levels for each shift.
• Attend meetings and training sessions, both on-site and off-site, as required.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and statutory requirements, adhering to company policies and procedures.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of Health and Safety regulations, including Basic Food Hygiene, COSHH, safe moving and handling, and cross-infection guidelines.
• Perform any additional duties as assigned by the Home Manager to support the overall functioning of the home.

Skills, Qualifications and Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience within a similar environment desirable
• NVQ Level 3 in food preparation & cooking (or equivalent) or a willingness to complete this qualification if not already obtained.
• Proficiency in IT, including Microsoft Office and internal applications; with the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while also being self-motivated and capable of working independently.
• Ability to work on a 7-day rota which will include weekends

The Company and Care Home

EQ Care Group is a trusted provider of exceptional elderly care, dedicated to creating warm, compassionate environments where individuals can truly thrive. Operating for three years now, we currently have five homes, with more being built to expand our portfolio. We specialise in delivering high-quality care to those who need it most, with a focus on dementia care and other complex needs. Our approach goes beyond simply meeting physical needs—we strive to create meaningful, enriching experiences for the people living in our homes. What sets us apart is our commitment to emotional intelligence, compassionate service, and personalised care.

Acer Lodge opened in July 2024; a 70 bed nursing and dementia specialist care home in the heart of Blackburn, combines modern comfort with classic charm, offering a welcoming home for people who need care & support. With spacious en-suite bedrooms, spectacular communal areas, and beautiful gardens, Acer Lodge is a place to live well and thrive. We are looking for people to join our heart-centred team who will provide exceptional, personalised care, ensuring everyone feels valued, supported, and at home at Acer Lodge.

Benefits of working at EQ Care

• ½ day off for your birthday – start your celebrations early!
• Blue Light Discount Card – access exclusive savings and offers.
• 28 days of annual leave (pro rata) – enjoy a healthy work-life balance.
• Salary advance scheme (Level) – access earned pay when you need it.
• Contributory pension – helping you plan for your future.
• Dedicated Learning & Development – continuous training and career growth opportunities.
• Team member rewards – recognising and celebrating your hard work.
• Free meals on shift – enjoy a meal on us while you work.
• Free tax review service – making sure you keep more of what you earn.
• Refer a friend scheme – earn up to £500 for successful referrals! (Terms apply)

Please note: If you are not a UK resident, you will need to be able to provide a valid right to work. We cannot provide sponsorship.

** This job description may differ as new information technology, policies and contractual agreements change, and we reserve the right to vary duties without notice